Continuous electrochemical processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a continuous electrochemical processing apparatus, which comprises an electrode transport module, an electrode module, and a material-tape conveying mechanism. The electrode module is connected with the electrode transport module and includes an electrode. The material-tape conveying mechanism is disposed corresponding to the electrode module and used for conveying a material tape. Thereby, the electrode of the electrode module may continuously electrochemical process the material tape.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electrochemical processing, and particularly to an electrochemical processing apparatus capable of electrochemically processing a workpiece continuously.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrochemical processing is a non-traditional processing method. Removal from a workpiece is achieved by electrochemical reactions undergone in the electrolyte between the electrode and the workpiece. Due to its many advantages, electrochemical processing satisfies various special requirements in metal processing.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses a continuous electrochemical processing apparatus, which comprises an electrode transport module, an electrode module, and a material-tape conveying mechanism. The electrode module is connected with the electrode transport module and includes an electrode. The material-tape conveying mechanism is disposed corresponding to the electrode module and includes a fixing base, a moving module, and a plurality of clip units. The moving module is located and moves on the fixing base. The plurality of clip units are disposed at the moving module and the base, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a stereoscopic view of the continuous electrochemical processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the continuous electrochemical processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a stereoscopic view of the electrode transport module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows a stereoscopic view of the material-tape conveying mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows an exploded view of the material-tape conveying mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C shows a side view of the material-tape conveying mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the driving module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the clip unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a usage view of the continuous electrochemical processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the zone A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows another usage view of the continuous electrochemical processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows still another usage view of the continuous electrochemical processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a stereoscopic view of the continuous electrochemical processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of the control module of the continuous electrochemical processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the structure and characteristics as well as the effectiveness of the present invention to be further understood and recognized, the detailed description of the present invention is disclosed as follows along with embodiments and accompanying figures.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The electrochemical processing apparatus 1 comprises an electrode transport module 11, an electrode module 13, and a material-tape conveying mechanism 15. The electrode module 13 includes an electrode 131. The electrode module 13 is connected with the electrode transport module 11. The material-tape conveying mechanism 15 is disposed corresponding to the electrode module 13 and used for conveying a material tape 150 (the workpiece). The material-tape conveying mechanism 15 includes a fixing base 151, a moving module 153, and a plurality of clip units 155. The moving module 153 is located and moves on the fixing base 151. The plurality of clip units 155 are disposed at the moving module 153 and the fixing base 151, respectively. The plurality of clip unit 155 moves along with the moving module 153 and clip or release (unclip) the material tape 150 for conveying the material tape 150. The operation of the material-tape conveying mechanism 15 will be described in detail later. According to the present embodiment, the fixing base 151 is disposed on a base 10.

According to the present embodiment, the electrode transport module 11 and the electrode module 13 are located above the material-tape conveying mechanism 15. The electrode transport module 11 is used for lifting and lowering the electrode module 13. Namely, it controls the supply and the processing path of the electrode 131. The electrode 131 corresponds to the material tape 150 conveyed by the material-tape conveying mechanism 15 and electrochemically processes the material tape 150. In addition, the material-tape conveying mechanism 15 will remove the electrochemically processed material-tape segment from the procession region. Thereby, the material tape 150 may be processed continuously.

According to the present embodiment, the electrochemical processing apparatus 1 further comprises a frame 17 disposed on the fixing base 151. Alternatively, the frame 17 may be disposed on the base 10. The electrode transport module 11 is disposed at the frame 17. Please refer to FIG. 3. The electrode transport module 11 according to the present embodiment includes a driver 111, a screw 113, a moving member 115, and a transport rod 117. The screw 113 is connected to the driver 111. The moving member 115 is disposed at the screw 113. In other words, the screw 113 passes through the moving member 115. The moving member 115 includes inner threads corresponding to the screw 113. Thereby, the moving member 115 may move along the screw 113. One end of the transport rod 117 is connected to the moving member 115. The electrode module 13 is connected to the other end of the transport rod 117. The transport rod 117 is located on one side of the screw 113. According to the present embodiment, the driver 111 is a motor, which drives the screw 113 to spin, and thus driving the moving member 115 to move upwards or downwards and thereby moving the transport rod 117 upwards or downwards. Then the electrode module 13 may be lifted or lowered.

Besides, the electrode transport module 11 further include a housing 110, at least one sliding rail 119, and at least one sliding member 120. The housing is fixed at the frame 17. One side surface of the housing 110 includes an opening 112. The sliding rail 119 is disposed at the housing 110 and located on both sides of the opening 112. The at least one sliding member 120 is disposed on and sliding along the sliding rail 119. The driver 111 is disposed at the housing 110. The screw 113 and the transport rod 117 are disposed in the housing 110. The sliding member 120 passes through the opening 112 and is connected to the moving member 115. Thereby, when the moving member 115 moves along the screw 113, the sliding member 120 slides along the sliding rail 119. Consequently, shaking of the screw 113 and the transport rod 117 may be avoided when the driver 111 is operating. The error of the electrode 131 of the electrode module 13 processing the material tape 150 may be thus reduced.

Next, please refer to FIGS. 4A to 4C. The material-tape conveying mechanism 15 is disposed on the base 10. The fixing base 151 is disposed on the base 10. According to the present embodiment, the fixing base 151 and the base 10 may be formed integrally. A driving module 163 is fixed on the base 10 and connected with the moving module 153 for driving the moving module 153 to move and thus conveying the material tape 150. The moving module 153 includes a horizontally moving assembly 161 and a movable base 162. The movable base 162 is connected to the driving module 163. The horizontally moving assembly 161 is disposed at the bottom of the active base 162. In addition, a platform 157 is connected with the driving module 163. The material tape 150 is located on the platform 157 and the platform 157 moves along with the movable base 162.

According to the present embodiment, the horizontally moving assembly 161 includes two horizontally moving shafts 164 and a plurality of horizontally moving members 165. The plurality of horizontally moving members 165 are disposed at the bottom of the active base 162. In addition, a plurality of fixing members 166 are fixed on the fixing base 151 and located on the inner side of the plurality of horizontally moving members 165, respectively, and hence corresponding to the plurality of horizontally moving members 165. Each horizontally moving shaft 164 passes through the corresponding two horizontally moving members 165 and two fixing members 166, respectively. Both ends of the horizontally moving shaft 164 are disposed at two horizontally moving members 165, respectively. The horizontally moving shaft 164 may move horizontally on the fixing member 166. That is to say, the horizontally moving assembly 161 is disposed on the active base 162 and the fixing base 151 and moves horizontally on the fixing base 151. There is a gap D between each horizontally moving member 165 and each fixing member 166. In other words, the movable horizontal distance of the active base 162 with respect to the fixing base 151 is the gap D. The plurality of fixing members 166 limit the traveling distance of the active base 162. When the driving module 163 drives the active base 162 to move forward, the fixing member 166 behind may block the horizontally moving member 165 behind and thus limiting the traveling distance of the horizontally moving member 165 behind. Likewise, when the driving module 163 drives the active base 162 to move backward, the fixing member 166 ahead may limit the traveling distance of the horizontally moving member 165 ahead.

The plurality of clip units 155 are disposed on the base 10 and the movable base 162 of the moving module 153. The clip units 155 on the base 10 may be disposed on the fixing base 151 as well. According to the present embodiment, three clip units 155 are adopted for the following description. The movable base 162 includes an opening 168. According to an embodiment, the opening 168 is disposed at the center of the movable base 162. Two clip units 155 are disposed on the front and rear sides of the movable base 162. The remaining clip unit 155 is disposed on the base or the fixing base 151. The plurality of clip units 155 are arranged in a line. In addition, a conductive member 181 is fixed on an insulating plate 183. The insulating plate 183 is disposed on the fixing base 151 and corresponding to the opening 168, and hence the conductive member may be disposed on the fixing base 151. The conductive member 181 is coupled to a power supply unit 30 (as shown in FIG. 11). The positioning module 185 includes two positioning members 1851 connected on both sides of the conductive member 181. A channel 1853 is located between the two positioning members 1851 for allowing the material tape to pass through. Besides, the channel 1853 may be used for positioning the material tape 150. The material tape 150 passes through the plurality of clip units 155 and the channel 1853. Because the conductive member 181 is just located below the channel 1853, a surface of the material tape 150 contacts the conductive member 181. The electrode 131 of the electrode module 13 corresponds to the material tape 150 located at the opening 168 for processing the material tape 150.

Please refer to FIG. 5A. The driving module 163 includes a driver 1631, a screw 1633, a moving member 1635, and a connecting assembly 1637. The screw 1633 is connected to the driver 1631. According to an embodiment, the driver 1631 is a motor. The moving member 1635 is disposed at the screw 1633. When the driver 1631 spins the screw 1633, the moving member 1635 moves along the screw 1633. One end of the connecting assembly 1637 is connected with the moving member 1635. The other end of the connecting assembly 1637 is connected with the movable base 162. Thereby, when the driver 1631 operates, the moving member 1635 drives the movable base 162 to move. The connecting assembly 1637 includes a transport member 16371, a first connecting member 16373, a second connecting member 16375, and a connecting base 16377. One end of the transport member 16371 is connected at the moving member 1635. The first connecting member 16373 is connected at the other end of the transport member 16371. The second connecting member 16375 is disposed at the first connecting member 16373. The connecting base 16377 is disposed at the second connecting member 16375 and on the movable base 162 for driving the movable base 162. In addition, the driving module 163 further includes a case 1639. The screw 1633, the moving member 1635, and the transport member 1637 are contained in the case 1639.

Please refer to FIG. 5B, the clip unit 155 includes a body 1551, a channel 1553, a pressing member 1555, and an elastic member 1557. The channel 1553 is located at the bottom of the body 1551 for allowing the material tape 150 to pass through. The pressing member 1555 is disposed inside the body 1551 and corresponding to the channel 1553. The elastic member 1557 is against the pressing member 1555. According to an embodiment, the elastic member 1557 may be a spring. When the elastic member 1557 is pressed and driving the pressing member 1555 to move downwards, the pressing member 1555 presses against the material tape 150 and thus clipping the material tape 150. Contrarily, as the elastic member 1557 is not pressed, the pressing member 1555 will nor press against the material tape 150. Then the material tape 150 may be moved.

Please refer to FIG. 6. The material-tape conveying mechanism 15 transport the material tape 150 to pass under the electrode 131 of the electrode module 13. The electrode transport module 11 drives the electrode 131 of the electrode module 13 to move downwards and thus electrochemically processing the material tape 150. Please refer to FIG. 7, which shows an enlarged view of the zone A in FIG. 6. According to the present embodiment, the electrode 131 is used to electrochemically process the material tape 150 to manufacture racks. Nonetheless, the processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is not limited to manufacturing racks. The outline of the electrode 131 may be changed according to the desired outline formed on the material tape 150. The outline of the electrode 131 according to the present embodiment corresponds to the outline of the gear groove 1501 formed on the material tape 150. Besides, the electrode module 13 further includes a blocking member 132 and an electrolyte channel 133. The blocking member 132 is disposed at the electrode 131. The electrolyte channel 133 is disposed between the electrode 131 and the blocking member 132. While performing an electrochemical process, the anode of the power supply unit 30 (as shown in FIG. 11) is coupled to the conductive member 181 whereas the cathode thereof is coupled to the electrode 131 of the electrode module 13. In addition, the electrolyte is transported between the electrode 131 and the material tape 150 via the electrolyte channel 133.

Please refer to FIGS. 8 and 9. When the continuous electrochemical processing apparatus 1 has formed the gear groove 1501 on the material tape 150, the electrode transport module 11 moves the electrode 131 of the electrode module 13 upwards. Then the material-tape conveying mechanism 15 moves the material tape 150 forward, so that the electrochemically processed segment of the material tape 150 may be removed from the bottom of the electrode 131 and the electrochemically unprocessed segment of the material tape 150 may be moved to the bottom of the electrode 131. According to the present embodiment, as the material-tape conveying mechanism 15 moves the material tape 150 forward, all the plurality of clip units 155 disposed on the movable base 162 clip the material tape 150 for fixing the material tape 150. Contrarily, the clip unit 155 on the base 10 does not clip the material tape 150. Thereby, when the driving module 163 drives the movable base 162 to move forward, the material tape 150 is clipped by the plurality of clip units 155 on the movable base 162. Afterwards, the plurality of clip units 155 on the movable base 162 do not clip the material tape 150 whereas the clip unit 155 on the base 10 does. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the driving module 163 drives the movable base 162 to move backward. The material tape 150 is clipped by the clip unit 155 on the base 10 and thus secured and immobile. By repeating the above steps, the material tape 150 may be conveyed forward.

According to the present embodiment, the electrochemical processing apparatus 1 may perform electrochemical processes on the material tape 150 continuously. It is applicable to thin workpieces, able to enhance the processing efficacy, and convenient for retrieving the material tape and conveyance.

Please refer to FIG. 10. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus 1 further comprises an inspection module 19 disposed on the frame 17. The inspection module 19 includes a moving mechanism 191 and an inspection unit 193. The inspection unit 193 is disposed at the moving mechanism 191. The moving mechanism 191 includes a first moving module 1911 and a second moving module 1913. The first moving module 1911 is disposed on the frame 17 and may be moved up and down. The second moving module 1913 is connected to the first moving module 1911 and may be moved horizontally. The inspection unit 193 is disposed at the second moving module 1913. The moving mechanism 191 may move the inspection unit 193, so that the inspection unit 1913 may correspond to and inspect the processed material tape 150. According to the present embodiment, the inspection unit 193 may be an optical inspector.

Please refer to FIG. 11. The electrochemical processing apparatus 1 further comprises a control module 20, the power supply unit 30, and an electrolyte transport module 40. The control module 20 is coupled to the inspection unit 193, the electrode transport module 11, the power supply unit 30, and the electrolyte transport module 40. The power supply unit 30 is coupled to the electrode module 13 and the conductive member 181 for supplying power to the electrode 131 and the material tape 150. The electrolyte transport module 40 is disposed corresponding to the electrode module 13 for transporting the electrolyte to the electrolyte channel 133.

When the inspection unit 192 inspects the processed material tape 150, a piece of inspection information representing the outline state of the material tape 150 will be produced. The control module 20 receives the inspection information and judges if the outline of the material tape 150 differs from the predetermined one. If so, the control module 20 will adjust the processing parameters of the electrochemical processing apparatus 1 and fix the difference, hence improving the accuracy of the electrochemical process. The control module 20 may control the electrode transport module 11 for adjusting the processing path of the electrode 131. In addition, the control module may also control the electrolyte transport module 40 for adjusting the pressure of transporting the electrolyte. Alternatively, the control module 20 may control the power supply unit 30 for controlling the voltage level. According to an embodiment, the control module 20 may be a computer, a microprocessor chip, or other electronic devices having information processing capabilities.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control module 20 includes a first database 22, a second database 24, an operational unit 26, and a control unit 28. The operational unit 26 is coupled to the first database 22, the second database 24, and the control unit 28. The first database 22 stores a piece of reference information, which is the information of the predetermined outline to be formed on the material tape 150 by the electrochemical processing apparatus 1. For example, the reference information may be the size and processing conditions, namely, the processing path, the voltage level, or the pressure of transporting the electrolyte, of the racks to be formed on the material tape 150. The second database 24 stores a plurality of reference processing parameters and a plurality pieces of comparison information. The plurality pieces of comparison information correspond to the plurality of reference processing parameters, respectively. The plurality pieces of comparison info, illation correspond to multiple outline states of the material tape 150. According to an embodiment, the plurality pieces of comparison information of the second database 24 include multiple differences between the outline formed on the material tape 150 and the predetermined outline. The plurality of reference processing parameters correspond to the plurality pieces of comparison information. For example, the difference between the outline formed on the material tape 150 and the predetermined outline is a first value, which will correspond to a first reference processing parameter. If the difference between the outline formed on the material tape 150 and the predetermined outline is a second value, then the second value will correspond to a second reference processing parameter.

The operational unit 26 receives the inspection information and compares it with the reference information in the first database 22 to give a piece of compared information. Then, according to the compared information and the plurality of comparison information, the corresponding reference processing parameter is given. According to the reference processing parameter, the processing parameter for subsequent electrochemical processes may be determined and thus controlling the electrode transport module 11, the power supply unit 30, or/and the electrolyte transport module 40. According to an embodiment, the operational unit 26 transmits the determined processing parameter to the control unit 28. The control unit 28 controls the electrode transport module 11, the power supply unit 30, or/and the electrolyte transport module 40 according to the processing parameter. The plurality of reference processing parameters in the second database 24 are given by prior electrochemical processing tests or simulations according to the predetermined outline and various processing conditions and used as the reference for the operational unit 26 to determine the processing parameter. The state of the processed material tape 150, such as the processing error, may be given by measuring the electrochemically processed material tape 150. Then the processing state may be used to determine the processing condition for subsequent electrochemical processes in order to compensate the processing error.

Accordingly, the present invention conforms to the legal requirements owing to its novelty, nonobviousness, and utility. However, the foregoing description is only embodiments of the present invention, not used to limit the scope and range of the present invention. Those equivalent changes or modifications made according to the shape, structure, feature, or spirit described in the claims of the present invention are included in the appended claims of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A continuous electrochemical processing apparatus, comprising: an electrode transport module; an electrode module, having an electrode and connected with said electrode transport module; and a material-tape conveying mechanism, corresponding to said electrode module and including: a fixing base; a moving module, located and moving on said fixing base; a plurality of clip units, disposed at said moving module and on said fixing base, respectively.
 2. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrode transport module includes: a driver; a screw, connected to said driver; a moving member, disposed at and moving along said screw; and a transport rod, having two ends, one end of said transport rod connected to said moving member, and said electrode module connected to the other end of said transport rod.
 3. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrode module further includes an electrode channel disposed at said electrode.
 4. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said material-tape conveying mechanism further includes a driving module, and said moving module includes: a movable base, connected to said driving module; and a horizontally moving assembly, disposed on said movable base and said fixing base and moving on said fixing base.
 5. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said driving module includes: a driver; a screw, connected to said driver; a moving member, disposed at and moving along said screw; and a connecting assembly, having two ends, one end of said connecting assembly connected to said moving member, and said movable base connected to the other end of said connecting assembly.
 6. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a conductive member, disposed on said fixing base and corresponding to said movable base; and a positioning module, disposed on said fixing base and connected on both sides of said conductive member.
 7. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein each clip unit includes: a channel; a pressing member, corresponding to said channel; and an elastic member, against said pressing member.
 8. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 1, further including an inspection module, having a moving mechanism and an inspection unit disposed at said moving mechanism.
 9. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 8, further including a control module, coupled to said inspection unit and said electrode transport module, receiving a piece of inspection information of said inspection unit, and controlling said electrode transport module according to said inspection information.
 10. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein said control module includes: a first database, storing a piece of reference information; a second database, storing a plurality of reference processing parameters; and an operational unit, coupled to said first database and said second database, and comparing said inspection information and said reference information to give a piece of compared information; wherein said control module controls said electrode transport module according to said compared information and said plurality of reference processing parameters.
 11. The continuous electrochemical processing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a power supply unit, coupled to said electrode module; an electrolyte transport module, corresponding to said electrode module; and a control module, coupled to said inspection unit, said power supply unit, and said electrolyte transport module, receiving a piece of inspection information of said inspection unit, and controlling said power supply unit or said electrolyte transport module according to said inspection information. 